On her latest effort,
Nebelhexe further explores the vein of darkly moody music that incorporates everything from pagan imagery and medieval themes (at least as can be best understood by the present) to dank metal undertows, glam strut and gothic romanticism. It's been her general approach for a while and she's shaped her take on it into something distinctly hers, while the album title makes clear that there are further impulses at work without fully spelling them out. Starting with the rumbling punch of "Underworld," drums simultaneously calling to mind early
Cure and even earlier rituals (the
Cure connection itself is later made explicit with a reverent but powerful version of "The Figurehead"). While
Essensual stays on the shadowy side of things throughout it's not that more peppy energy doesn't emerge, as can be heard on the feedback kick of "Invisible Entity." But more common are the liquid guitar and keyboards of "Purple Nightshades," suggesting depths even with the steady percussion pace.
Nebelhexe's vocal delivery is more in line with spoken word dramatics than straightforward singing -- this is no complaint, merely an observation, and on tracks like the
Cure cover her distinct approach helps her avoid sounding like she is simply cloning the song. She sinks into the arrangement at points throughout but it can still add to the mysterious charm of the songs. ~ Ned Raggett